Since 1984 the German-Bhutan Himalaya Society (in German: Deutsche Bhutan Himalaya Gesellschaft (DBHG e.V.) has been working for Bhutan. She is one of the oldest friendship societies for Bhutan. Mutual understanding and coming to know better each other are as much part of the tasks as caring for guests from Bhutan, lectures and information events, exhibitions, study tours, and support of the preservation of Bhutan's historic heritage.In 1984 the "Cologne Friendship Circle for Bhutan" was founded, with Mr. Fritz Hermanns, Chairman of the Board of the Cologne Savings Bank being the driving force. On May 11th, 1986 the "Bhutan-Himalaya Club" was formed and officially registered with the Cologne district court. The founding board members were Fritz Hermanns, Siegfried Kretschmar, Klaus Mattes and Claudia Weinberger. Soon the "Club" got the support of 50 members, among them Dieter Brauer, the families Beck and Wils, and Prof Manfred Gerner.